The Carolina Renaissance Festival is back celebrating 25 years of cheers. Introduced in 1994, the Carolina Renaissance Festival is now one of the largest renaissance- themed events in the country and one of the largest attractions in the Carolinas. Nearly 200,000 attendees are expected to time travel to the village during its eight-weekend season, held Saturdays and Sundays, September 29 through November 18.
Fantasy and history collide once again as fanciful creatures have nestled into the forests of the Festival. Journey to the grotto and experience the all new Living Mermaid exhibit where Fairies of the Sea enchant, delight and swim about inside a 30,000 pound aquarium. Watch Fireflicker the Curious Dragon roam about to award dragon gold to children with magic in their hearts. And fan-favorite Twig the Fairy returns, dazzling patrons with her music and fairy-dust.
Fourteen stages offer an abundance of continuous music, dance, comedy and circus entertainments. Unbalanced acrobats, the Ancient Art of Falconry and the popular jousting tournament with armored knights mounted on horseback, are more examples of the continuous entertainment options offered. Many of the shows are spontaneous and you will never know what happens next, on stage or off.
Village purveyors offer an endless feast of bread bowl stews, premium meats on sticks, sweet treats and confections and a favorite of all renaissance wanderers: a bag of cinnamon-roasted almonds! Festival pubs offer a variety of Pepsi products, craft beer, wine, champagne, ale, honey mead, lemonade and Medieval Margaritas to compliment the day-long feast of hearty foods fit for royalty!
Shop an extensive array of craft vendors offering home decor, jewelry, clothing of renaissance and medieval fashion, blown and torched glass, handmade art and pottery. There are also activities for children of all ages including people-powered amusement rides and countryside faire games such as the castle climbing wall, archery and tomato tossing at a fool.
The 25th Carolina Renaissance Festival — where imagination, fantasy, and history burst to life. A place where adults can feel and act like children while children are treated as royalty. A magical realm where you will forget about your daily cares and enjoy the magic of a simpler time and place. A time traveling escape like no other!
WHEN YOU GO:
Where: North of Charlotte between Concord and Huntersville. The Festival is located on Highway 73 at Poplar Tent Road (between I-77 and I-85).
When: Eight consecutive weekends, Saturdays and Sundays, from September 29th through November 18th. The Festival runs from 10:00 AM until 5:30 PM, rain or shine.
Advance Discount Tickets: $24 for adults, $14 for kids ages 5-12; available at Harris Teeter Stores region wide. Tickets purchased at the gate are $1 more, or print your own online at carolina.renfestinfo.com. Seniors ages 60 and over and Military personnel (with valid ID) enjoy discount tickets at the gate with adults at $22 and $12 for children ages 5 – 12. Children under 5 are always free. Parking is free courtesy of Harris Teeter.
Information: Online at carolina.renfestinfo.com, or call 704-896-5544, toll free 877-896- 5544.